Comparison of data on occupational health service systems in Austria, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and...

Comparative data on the occupational health systems in different countries are lacking to a very great extent. This is illustrated here with the data from six European countries of participants of the workshop. On the basis of available data and various developments in the countries and the EC, it is concluded that in some countries the coverage of the working population will diminish, while in others it will increase. The need for international comparative research is discussed in the light of the recent EC ruling saying some form of occupational health service should be available for all EC workers. It is concluded that monitoring research is feasible taking the experience in national studies into account.